From hydraulic pilot control to electrohydraulic control
Construction equipment is moving from hydraulic pilot controls to electrohydraulic (EH) control. Industrial Hall effect joysticks and multi-function grips provide the operator interface for precise control of boom, arm, bucket, swing, lift, tilt and auxiliary functions. Instead of sending pilot pressure directly to the main control valve, the joystick sends a proportional electronic signal to the machine controller. This enables switchable ISO and SAE control patterns, adjustable response curves, operator profiles and assistance functions.
That puts the joystick at the heart of machine performance. It has to deliver smooth, repeatable control for fine grading and precise load placement, withstand shock, vibration, dust and extreme temperatures, and keep operators comfortable through a full shift. At the same time, it must fit the armrest, CAN network and safety concept of the machine.
Althen Controls supplies industrial joysticks and operator controls to OEMs of construction machinery and heavy equipment. Our contactless Hall effect joysticks and multi-function grips are available with CANopen, CAN J1939 or analog outputs, redundant signals for safety-related functions, and handles, buttons and connectors configured to your machine.
Built for the demands of off-highway machines
An industrial joystick in a construction machine is a safety-relevant part of the electrohydraulic control system and the main interface between operator and machine. These are the requirements that matter most.
Key requirements for industrial joysticks in construction machinery:
Precise proportional control
Fine grading, trenching and load placement depend on predictable metering. Contactless Hall effect sensors measure the lever position without wear, so the control characteristic stays the same over millions of operating cycles.
A familiar control feel
Operators switching from pilot-operated machines expect the same feel. Joysticks such as the H4 are designed with an operating feel similar to a hydraulic pilot valve. A configurable two-stage stroke gives a clear tactile step before full deflection.
CAN bus joysticks: CANopen, J1939 or analog
Many construction machines use more than one CAN bus. SAE J1939 is commonly used for the powertrain, including the engine, transmission and exhaust aftertreatment, while CANopen is often used for working functions such as hydraulic valves, joysticks, I/O and sensors.
Our CAN bus joysticks support either architecture: CANopen from 10 kbps to 1 Mbps or SAE J1939 at 250 kbps with selectable node addresses, allowing multiple joysticks to share the same CAN network. For simpler control architectures and retrofits, ratiometric and 0.5 to 4.5 V analog outputs are available. The C25 also supports 0 to 10 V, -10 to +10 V and 4 to 20 mA outputs.
Functional safety support
Redundant Hall outputs provide two independent, inverse signals per axis, for example 0.5 to 4.5 V and 4.5 to 0.5 V. The machine controller can check their plausibility continuously and bring the machine to a safe state when they deviate. This supports your safety functions to ISO 13849-1 and the machine-level assessment to ISO 19014.
Resistance to shock and vibration
Breaker work, rough terrain and engine vibration put constant stress on operator controls. The C25 is tested to IEC 60068-2-27 (shock, 50 g) and IEC 60068-2-64 (random vibration, 3.6 gRMS).
EMC in mobile machinery
Stable signals near radios, alternators and power electronics. The C25, H4 and H6 are tested for EMC immunity to EN IEC 61000-6-2 and emissions to EN IEC 61000-6-4.
Wide temperature range
From winter earthmoving to summer road construction: operating temperatures from -40 °C to +85 °C for the C25 and H6, and from -25 °C to +85 °C for the H4.
Ergonomics for a full shift
Multi-function grips put every function within thumb and finger reach: push buttons, rocker switches, thumbwheels, an FNR switch and a deadman switch for operator presence detection.
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Built for off-highway dutyHall effect, -40 to +85 °C, shock and vibration tested
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Open to your control systemtandard CANopen and J1939, any controller, any valve
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In-house prototypingConfigured samples at short lead times
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Series supply on call-offDeliveries that follow your build plan
Specifying operator controls for a new machine or an EH conversion?
Discuss your application
Which joystick for which machine function?
A quick guide to typical control layouts in construction machinery and the matching Althen Controls products.
Looking beyond control?
Construction machines rely on more than operator input. Althen Sensors & Controls also supplies position feedback sensors for mobile machinery: draw-wire sensors for boom extension and telescopic cylinders, magnetostrictive sensors for hydraulic cylinder position, rotary Hall sensors for boom, slew and steering angle, and foot pedals for hands-free travel and auxiliary functions. One supplier for operator controls and position feedback.
Recommended joysticks and grips
for construction machinery
C25 Multi-axis joystick
- Single or multi-axis
- Hall effect technology
- Optional CANbus and redundant output
H4 series Multi-axis joystick
- Hall effect technology
- CANbus output (J1939 or CANopen)
- Configurable with K12 and K14 grips
H6 series multi-axis cobra joystick
- Multi-axis operation
- Hall effect technology
- CAN bus or redundant analog output
K2 series Multi-function grip
- Ergonomic grip design
- IP65 protection option
- 0–8 button layouts
K15 series Multi-function grip
- Ergonomic grip design
- Up to 8 front buttons
- IP65 protection option
C11 Heavy-duty multi-axis hand joystick
- Heavy-duty joystick
- CANbus communication
- IP67 electronics
H4 excavator joysticks for electrohydraulic control
Operators moving from hydraulic pilot-operated excavators to electrohydraulic (EH) machines expect a familiar control feel. In this application, two H4 Hall effect excavator joysticks provide precise control of a wheeled excavator. They combine the operating feel of hydraulic pilot valves with contactless sensing, K12 multi-function grips and direct CAN J1939 communication.
C25 joystick for single-lever boom control of a telehandler
On a construction site, a telehandler places materials exactly where they are needed: pallets of blocks on a scaffold, roof trusses on a first floor or formwork on a slab. In this application, the C25 telehandler joystick provides single-lever proportional control of boom lift and telescope. Redundant inverse outputs allow the machine controller to continuously check the joystick signal.
H6 wheel loader joystick for boom lift and bucket tilt control
Wheel loader operators repeat the same loading cycle throughout their shift: fill the bucket, lift, reverse, drive to the truck or hopper, dump and return. In this application, a single H6 Hall effect wheel loader joystick combines proportional boom lift and bucket tilt control in one lever. A K15 multi-function grip provides additional controls within easy reach, reducing the need to move between separate controls.
Configured to your machine
Every machine platform is different. We configure joysticks and grips to your control concept, from first prototype to series production:
- Output: CANopen, CAN J1939, analog, redundant analog
- Operating mode: single or dual axis, spring return, friction hold, center detent, gated movement
- Stroke: single-stage or two-stage per direction, travel angle
- Grip and buttons: push buttons, rocker switches, thumbwheels, FNR switch, deadman switch
- Installation: left-hand, right-hand, vertical, armrest or panel
- Connection: Deutsch, AMP, Molex or cable
Engineering data for your design review
Selecting a joystick is an engineering decision. For your configuration we provide datasheets, outline drawings and [3D CAD models], CAN message descriptions for CANopen and J1939 [EDS/DBC], and [safety and test data] for your own risk assessment. Ask our application engineers for the package that fits your machine.
Looking for the right joystick for your construction machine? Talk to our Controls specialists
Tell us about your machine, control system and required functions. We help you select or configure the right joystick, from first sample to series production.
Frequently asked questions about industrial joysticks
Hydraulic pilot or electrohydraulic joystick: which is right for my machine?
A hydraulic pilot joystick sends pilot pressure directly to the main control valve. An electrohydraulic joystick sends an electronic signal to the machine controller, which drives proportional valves. EH control allows switchable control patterns, adjustable response and assistance functions, and reduces hydraulic lines in the cab. Joysticks such as the H4 keep an operating feel similar to a pilot valve.
Why choose a Hall effect joystick instead of a potentiometer joystick?
Hall effect sensors measure contactless, so there is no wear on a resistive track. This gives a stable output and long lifetime under vibration and intensive use.
CANopen or J1939: which protocol for my joystick?
It depends on the bus your machine controller uses for the working functions. SAE J1939 comes from the truck and engine world and is the standard on the powertrain bus: engine, transmission and exhaust aftertreatment. CANopen comes from industrial automation and is common on the implement side: hydraulic valves, joysticks, I/O modules and sensors, especially in cranes, aerial work platforms and many European machines. Machines built around a J1939 controller often run the joysticks on J1939 as well. Many machines use both buses, with the machine controller as gateway. Our CAN joysticks are available with either protocol: CANopen from 10 kbps to 1 Mbps, or J1939 at 250 kbps.
What does a redundant joystick do for functional safety?
A redundant joystick provides two independent signals per axis, often inverse to each other. The machine controller compares them continuously and can detect a sensor fault. This supports safety functions designed to ISO 13849-1 and the machine assessment to ISO 19014. The safety assessment of the machine remains with the OEM.
Which grip functions are typical for excavators, wheel loaders and telehandlers?
Excavators use thumbwheels for auxiliary hydraulics and tiltrotators, and on wheeled excavators an FNR switch. Wheel loaders use buttons for float, third function and travel direction. Telehandlers and lifting equipment often use a deadman switch for operator presence detection.
Can two joysticks run on one CAN bus?
Yes. Our J1939 joysticks are available with different node addresses, so a left-hand and right-hand joystick can share the same CAN network.
Can you supply a joystick with our own configuration?
Yes. Operating mode, stroke, grip, buttons, output, installation and connector can be configured, also for smaller series.